- Yes
- No
- North Korea sub-tree in China
- United Korea tech tree
- Other
- I said no
Also known as Koksan among Western circles
Brief History
North Korea has a surprisingly long history of tank and AFV production, beginning with Soviet hand-me-downs, namely T-34s and their derivatives, T-55s, etc., before starting indigenous tank development in the 70s with their copy of the T-62 (Ch’ŏnma). They haven’t just built MBTs, however. They have a number of other AFVs, such as SPGs and tank destroyers (conventional and ATGMs). Some of the most famous North Korean SPGs is this – the Chuch’e-Po (meaning Juche-Artillery; more commonly known as Koksan, although this name is not used in North Korea), carrying a whopping 170mm cannon capable of hitting Seoul from behind the DMZ (43km range). Two variants of the Chuch’e have been developed, and this suggestion is for the later variant. The two aren’t distinguished with different names in North Korea, but in the west, M1978 is typically used for the first variant, and M1989 for this, the second.
Characteristics
The Chuch’e is either based on a heavily modified T-54, T-55 or Type 59 hull, all of which North Korea operates, but the differences are so minute that it doesn’t really matter. In particular for the M1989 variant, only the chassis remains, with the rest of the hull essentially being removed and replaced in the front half with a drivers cab, and in the rear with the cannon. The armour is therefore likely to be very thin, far from the T-54/55s original armour. The engine and other components remain the same. The chassis and engine/transmission have also been reversed – the engine is at the front, and the wheels reflect that change (only the sprocket wheels, strangely, the signature gap between wheel 1 and wheel 2 on the T-54/55 series is still present).
The origins of the 170mm cannon are still debated. One popular claim states that it was derived from Soviet-captured German 170mm K18 cannons, but this is unlikely. A more probable scenario is that it came from captured Japanese 149mm Type 96 cannons, although it is also possible that North Korea developed it independently, perhaps inspired by the Soviet 2S7 Pion and its 203mm (which has a very similar design to the 1989 variant). However, the gun certainly fires HE rounds at relatively high velocities for an SPG – actual figures are unknown, but considering the 2S7 has a velocity of 960m/s, and the 17cm K18 has a velocity of 925m/s, it can be assumed the Chuch’e has a velocity somewhere in that (relatively small) range.
The M1989 variant carries 12 rounds on board, unlike the 1978 variant which can only carry 2. In War Thunder this would be more than sufficient considering the high power, low survivability and long reload, but in real life it has ammunition vehicles following it. The vehicle requires a crew of 8 (driver, commander, gunner, and 5 loaders) – the vehicle itself can carry 4 but the remaining 4 have to follow in a support vehicle. I’m unsure of how this issue could be rectified in game, but I believe there are already SPGs in game missing crew members?
Conclusion
This vehicle would be a great mid-tier indigenous SPG for a North Korean sub-tree. It has an incredibly powerful 170mm but would be set back by its very poor survivability, long reload and only decent mobility. I suggest a BR of around 6.3, although it could go higher/lower depending on its reload and how powerful the gun is.
Specifications
Armament
- 170mm L/50
- HE
Armour
- Hull
- Front
- Unknown, thin
- Sides
- Unknown, thin - might still be similar to that of the T-54
- Rear
- Unknown, thin - might still be similar to that of the T-54
- Rear
- Front
- Turret
- Front
- N/A
- Sides
- N/A
- Rear
- N/A
- Front
Mobility
- Speed
- ~40km/h
- Weight
- ~40t
- Engine power
- 520hp
Images
Sources
